[November
10, 2012]SPRINGFIELD -- Effective Nov.
19, Illinois Social Security offices will be open to the public
Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- a reduction of 30
minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning Jan. 2, offices will
close to the public at noon every Wednesday.

State calls attention to the residents of long-term care in
observance of Residents' Rights Month

SPRINGFIELD -- With respect to
the observance of Residents' Rights Month, Illinois Department on
Aging Director John K. Holton, Ph.D., says the department works to
make sure that residents living in long-term care facilities are not
forgotten, are safe and receive quality care.
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SPRINGFIELD -- On Monday,
Illinois Department of Insurance Director Andrew Boron announced
that free counseling assistance is available to help educate
Medicare-eligible individuals and their caregivers about available
Medicare Part D insurance options. The department's Senior Health
Insurance Program, known as SHIP, provides free counseling for
Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. The Medicare Part D
open enrollment season runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
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story.)

Elderly people who live in
nursing homes are at greater risk for oral health problems compared
with elderly people who live independently, according to a study
published in the July-August 2002 issue of General Dentistry, the
clinical, peer-reviewed journal of the Academy of General Dentistry.
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story.)

Atlanta Public Library announces new program for seniors

ATLANTA --
The Atlanta Public Library invites the community to a series
of monthly events for seniors. The series is called "This Golden
Age" and is about making life matter no matter how old you are. This
Golden Age tackles topics of particular interest to people over 50.
The monthly events begin Oct. 16 and are scheduled for nine
Tuesdays.
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story.)

The Lincoln Police Department
has taken several complaints from senior citizens over the past
several months regarding lawn care companies and tree trimming
businesses that are not performing the amount of work they are being
paid for. These complaints have involved large amounts of money, and
the scamming companies appear to be targeting seniors.
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story.)

Medical identity theft rising: Steps to protect yourself

(ARA) -- Two million Americans
fall victim to medical identity theft each year, according to a
study by the Ponemon Institute, commissioned by Experian's
ProtectMyID. While medical identity theft costs victims an average
of $22,346, the potential impact can be far greater -- medical
identity theft could cost some victims their health, or even their
lives.
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story.)

Medicare fines over hospitals' readmitted patients

WASHINGTON (AP)
-- If you or an elderly relative have been hospitalized recently and noticed extra attention when the time came to be discharged, there's more to it than good customer service.
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story.)

WHY IT MATTERS:

Social Security

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)
-- The issue: Unless Congress acts, the trust funds that support Social Security will run out of money in 2033, according to the trustees who oversee the retirement and disability program. At that point, Social Security would collect only enough tax revenue each year to pay about 75 percent of benefits. That benefit cut wouldn't sit well with the millions of older Americans who rely on Social Security for most of their income.
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story.)